Audemars Piguet celebrates its 135th Anniversary and the launch of a high-powered new product

Tokyo, October 5th 2010: Audemars Piguet Japan held the Audemars Piguet 135th anniversary and new product launch party in the “Choice!” restaurant on the third floor of the city’s prestigious Ark Mori building. The event was attended by a total of 500 guests including VIP, celebrities and media.

Mr. Go Mugino, Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet Japan, welcomed guests with a speech in which he stated that: “Audemars Piguet has consistently forged its history through an innovative and challenging spirit. Today’s announcement of a special new product will be a fresh chapter in the company’s ongoing story.”

After the speech, Mr. Mugino introduced the evening’s first “special guests”: the two brand founders Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet appeared in a hologram to greet attendees at the Audemars Piguet 135th anniversary event. Through the wonders of technology, they talked about the history of AP and the watch industry in general, and how things have changed since the time they first started. Various historical watches representing 135 years of history, specially flown in from the Audemars Piguet Museum in Le Brassus, were displayed in the same area.

After the surprise appearance of the company founders in the first zone, the party moved on to the next zone of the venue, representing the very latest from Audemars Piguet, where guests were entertained with Formula 1 simulators, nail arts, mixing by Japan’s hottest DJ “ DJ Hico”, and live music from the Piano Jack Instrumental Jazz Band.

The last and most special guest, representing the brand’s newly released watch model, was introduced by Mr. Wolfgang Sickenberg, Chief Sales Officer of Audemars Piguet. Formula 1 racing ace Jarno Trulli has been serving as Audemars Piguet ambassador since 2008, is to compete in the Japanese Grand Prix on October 8th, wearing a helmet sporting a picture of the “Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli” Chronograph.

This new model, issued in a worldwide limited edition of 500, available as of October 6th from the Audemars Piguet Boutique located in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping precinct, will be initially be launched exclusively in Japan prior to its international release by the end of the year.